Dad Accused Of Directing 5-Year-Old To Steal Package Denied Bail

BEL AIR, MD — A so-called porch pirate is being held without bail in Harford County connected to a package theft that made headlines around the country. The Baltimore County Police Department arrested the suspected thief on New Year's Day, according to authorities.

Gary Martin Smith, 46, has been charged with four crimes: theft less than $100, conspiracy to commit theft less than $100, contributing to the delinquency of a child and conspiring to commit fourth-degree burglary theft.

Authorities allege Smith instructed his 5-year-old daughter to steal a pair of boots from a Bel Air resident's porch. The crime was captured on surveillance video.

The clip was featured on "Good Morning America" after the sheriff's office asked for help from the public in identifying the "Grinch" behind the scenes.

The theft occurred around noon on Friday, Nov. 30. Video showed a child being directed to take a package from the front door of a home in 400 block of Inez Court in Bel Air.

Deputies were notified of the crime on Sunday, Dec. 2, and authorities said a tip came in from an anonymous source identifying the girl who was seen taking the package.

Through the positive identification of the girl and subsequent investigation, authorities said they found Smith was in the area at 4 p.m. when he instructed his 5-year-old daughter to take the package from a porch.

"She has no blame in this whatsoever," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told WJZ.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in mid December.

After being arrested, Smith was taken to the Harford County Detention Center on Thursday, Jan. 3, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

He is being held without bail until he appears for trial on Jan. 24.

In Harford County District Court on Friday, Jan. 4, Smith said: "I'm not bailing out anyway," WJZ reported, citing the judge who noted he had an unverified address and a record that included probation violations and more than 20 arrests.

He also failed to appear twice, and Judge Susan Hazlett said she had "no confidence that he will continue to comply with conditions of release if they were set," The Aegis reported.

• Dad Of 5-Year-Old Charged In Bel Air Package Theft: Sheriff
• Package Thief In Bel Air Looks 'No Older Than 8,' Sheriff Says

Photo of Gary Martin Smith courtesy of the Harford County Sheriff's Office.